Ch.5

“Ah, [y/n]! There you are, Yanxiao finished making the dishes, let's go and eat shall we?” Verr Goldet said when she saw you descending down the stairs.

You smiled awkwardly before declining her offer. “I'm sorry but I think I need to go now.” Goldet seemed confused on why you suddenly started acting like that.

She approached you and whispered, “Are you okay? Did something happen..” Goldet said while checking you out. You shook your head, “I just want to go home, that's all.”

Verr Goldet stared at you, she stared at you the same way before, as if she's observing something. “But we cooked extra food for you.. Are you sure you want to leave?”

What she said made you feel guilty, “Can.. can I just take some home, please?” you looked away, seemingly embarrassed and guilty at the same time.

Goldet could only sigh. “Alright.. if you insist.” Couple of minutes later, Goldet came back with majority of foods in her hands. You knew they cooked extra food but you didn't know it was THIS much.

Verr Goldet then handed it to you with a smile. You let out an awkward laugh while taking it from her. You then bowed your head and said your thanks, still not able to look her in the eye.

With that you left and made your way to your house.

“Sigh.. something definitely must've happened. She's more red than a plump tomato..” Goldet shook her head before heading inside. Curiosity kicking in wondering what happened between you and Xiao.

...וו×...

You then arrived at your place. You entered the kitchen, placing down the food that you brought with you. You then took a quick bath before heading to your bedroom.

You closed the door, back soon meeting with the doorway. You slid down, your back still in contact with the door. There was a moment of silence before you let out a loud squeal.

You jumped onto your bed, you then grabbed a pillow and started hugging it as hard as you can.

Your mind suddenly made you remember the interaction you had with Xiao. You also heard him say that your food taste bad.

That - of course, made you feel insecure. But you couldn't be bothered by that. You were too busy recalling how he looked like when he blushed.

You couldn't help but toss and turn every now and then. You sigh before your mind made you remember how he looked like when he was asking you to hand over the food.

“I didn't know he could be so.. cute”

You said while fiddling with your hair that was on your forehead. You couldn't help but let out another squeal.

It was still noon but you decided to take a rest, waking up later at afternoon.

...וו×...

It had been days since the interaction you had with Xiao, but somehow you still can't calm down when you remember how cute he looked that day.

Today was the departure of Aether and Paimon. They originally planned on leaving early, but Paimon heard that there will be a feast celebration held for Rex Lapis.

It was certainly weird at first. Since Rex Lapis is no longer with them, the idea of having a celebration for it didn't have a nice ring to it.

Not until the Liyue Qixing made an announcement as to why they're holding a celebration.

It is a form of saying thank you for protecting them over the years, for being with them, and for giving them blessings. The Liyue Qixing mentioned that it would be best to send their deity off with a smile rather than gloomy expressions.

The Qixing also said that their deity wasn't really murdered, so it's another reason to celebrate. The Qixing said that they should take it as their deity taking a rest. So deep down they know that their deity is still alive and with them.

Aether and Paimon invited you to come and have a feast with them, you refused, afraid to be recognized by someone you know.

That being said you told them that you'll see them off when they depart. The two agreed and said they'll wait for you.

You had nothing to do, hence you decided to cook some dishes for them.

Some time later, you finished cooking. You placed them in a wooden bento that you made yourself. You then wrapped it in a cloth and soon went to the capital.

There you were at the port looking for a blonde and a pixie, heart racing hoping no one would recognise you.

Soon you found them talking to a certain brown hair. You decided to approach them after they're finished talking to each other.

“Hey” The two of them both whipped their heads to your direction. “[y/n] you're here!” Paimon said while clapping her hands.

Aether noticed your weird attire, hence he decided to ask you what's with the get up. “Aha.. it's nothing, really. I'm just kind of sensitive to the sun. I live in the woods where the sun doesn't shine it's brightest. So I'm not used to being outside complete opposite of it.”

You said hoping he won't ask for more, in which he didn't. Unfortunately Paimon did it for him.

“but you're a hunter right?” you mentally groan. “well.. yeah.. but! There's usually a lot of trees I could shelter myself..” you said scratching your head.

“Anyway! I made you guys food” You said bringing out the dish you made for them hoping they wouldn't ask anything else. Fortunately this time, it worked.

Paimon's eyes sparkled as she got a whiff of the food you made. You unexpectedly heard Aether's stomach grumble, making you and Paimon laugh.

The three of you continued with your catch ups before you got approached by the same woman earlier.

“Hey Aether, the ship is ready. Got everything with ya?” Before Aether could say anything, the woman noticed you, “Oh hey, didn't see you there, what's your name?”

Aether then introduced the both of you. Apparently the woman's name is Beidou, She owns an armed crew named the crux. Apparently the Tianquan of Qixing asked her if she would board Aether and Paimon in her ship, as a way of thank you for helping them defeat the ancient God, Osial.

Beidou agreed but said that the Tianquan owns her a favour. That favour being unknown.

Not long after, Kazuha appeared. Aether introduced you to him earlier when he passed by the port.

“Beidou, the ship is ready.” Kazuha informed Beidou. That being said I knew it's time for them to leave, so I said my goodbye one last time. Not long after Aether and Paimon boarded the ship.

After seeing them enter the vessel, I prepared to leave, As I turned my back I heard Kazuha call my name, making me look back on impulse.

There, I saw him standing waving for me to come. Hence I approached him. “Is there anything wrong?” I asked confused. Kazuha chuckled and said, “No, I just want to give you something.”

“Give me.. something?” You thought to yourself wondering what it might be. Kazuha soon took out a maple hairpin. He soon went closer to you to clip it on your hair.

You were stupefied. You wanted to ask why he did that, he saw through you and chuckled, “I gave this to you because you remind me of someone precious to me. I smelled a sweet, calming scent, when I saw you, and it comforted me for some reason I do not know myself.”

With that he stepped backwards, saying his goodbye and left. You were still stunned by what happened, you weren't able to say goodbye back, but you still managed to wave at him.

Someone bumped to you making you snap out of your thoughts. The port is busy so there's many people, mostly merchants and travellers.

From the impact, you stumbled back, your hood almost slipping out of your head. You accidentally stepped on the hem of your cape. You were about to fall, luckily someone caught your back.

Unfortunately though, you stepped on the man's foot. “I'm sorry! I-” You were still speaking when the man spoke, cutting you off.

“Are you okay?” The man asked you. He had a deep, almost husky voice. As you were about to say yes, you suddenly felt a severe headache. Making you stumbled back again. The man had caught you again, this time, securing you in his arms.

You whip your head to his direction, you saw his features, he had a long black hair with brown tips, seemingly pulled back in a low pony tail. A fair skin, and a sharp, bright amber eyes, pupils set in the shape of diamonds.

Just by looking at his eyes, you could feel yourself trembling. For some reason unknown, the grip of the man's hands on your arm tightened. You looked at his gaze and it radiated immense wrath.

“ugh..” you mumbled while holding your head, you felt severe headache, but it was more severe than what you felt earlier. “You..” the man said. You were overwhelmed by fear, his tone was different than his tone earlier.

His tone earlier radiated genuine concern. But now his voice is full with fury. You stood up abruptly and pulled your hoodie forward, “I-.. I'm fine, thank y-you.” You stuttered. You bowed your head and left as fast as you could, you felt your heartbeat getting faster and faster.

You didn't know why you felt like that earlier, but you knew something happened between the two of you.

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